Driving apparatus for driving operative units of a packaging machine

ABSTRACT

A driving apparatus ( 70 ) for driving an operative unit ( 24 ) of a packaging machine comprises an electric motor ( 71 ) including a rotor ( 72 ). The driving apparatus ( 70 ) also comprises an articulated quadrilateral ( 75 ) interposed between and connecting the rotor ( 72 ) and the operative unit ( 24 ) in order to transform a rotational motion of the rotor ( 72 ) into an alternate motion of the operative unit ( 24 ), thus rendering the driving apparatus ( 70 ) safer and more reliable.

The invention concerns a driving apparatus for driving operative units of a packaging machine, suitable to complete, in particular to transfer, position or fold groups of smoking articles and relative wrap sheets and inner containing elements or collars or their parts, in order to packet them in packets.

The invention also concerns a packaging machine including said driving apparatus.

Driving systems are known, for driving with alternate motion operative units of a packaging machine comprising an electric motor and a reducer interposed between and connecting the electric motor and the operative unit to be driven. The reducer directly drives a lever or a cam from which the desired motion is obtained.

The reducer is provided in order to reduce the moment of inertia of the masses in movement, that is, of the operative units, so that the moment of inertia does not exceed by determinate value the moment of inertia of the rotor of the electric motor.

Indeed, if this value were to be exceeded, it would seriously compromise the precision of the mechanical positioning of the operative unit.

Moreover the reducer is needed so as to have a sufficient torque available.

One defect of known driving systems is that in the event of a breakdown, where the electricity supply is interrupted, the motor of the operative unit, no longer slowed down by electric brakes, can modify the driving angle of the lever so that the means which it governs can enter into collision with parts of the machine, damaging said parts and/or damaging themselves, even seriously.

It is also known that cams as such entail continuous maintenance and costs both to produce them and to restore them, and also that they increase consumption.

The levers also entail consumption, which is connected to the torque which they must generate.

Furthermore, another defect of known driving systems is that they are very unreliable and require maintenance, they entail high consumption and they increase costs.

Indeed the reducer is subject to a lot of wear and to frequent breakdowns, with the consequence that a frequent and costly maintenance must be provided.

One purpose of the invention is to improve the driving systems for driving operative units of a packaging machine.

A further purpose is to supply more reliable driving systems with respect to known driving systems.

A further purpose is to achieve a command which has as few pieces as possible and which requires the minimum maintenance possible so as to have fewer spare parts, lower consumption and better performance.

It is also a purpose of the invention to reduce the size of the motor means, thus containing costs, bulk, weight and improving performance. Indeed, by increasing the size of the motor means the performance is by and large reduced and therefore consumption is increased.

Another purpose is to contain and discharge the lateral and tangential thrusts whether radial or not, which the movement and feed systems discharge.

A further purpose is to prevent abnormal stresses from acting on the bench bearings of the electric step motor.

The invention provides a driving apparatus to drive an operative unit of a packaging machine as defined in the independent claim 1.

Thanks to the use of a step motor of the brushless type, applied directly to a rotor disc which performs an arc of substantially around 180°, the torque required by a lever which is moved by about 90° is reduced by a half given the same travel induced in the mechanisms downstream.

If the motor mean no longer responds correctly to commands imparted to it, different travels do not occur in the mechanisms downstream, since the travel induced remains always and only that which depends on an angle of about 180°.

Moreover, thanks to the direct connection of the step motor mean to the driving disc or rotor type, said driving apparatus is more reliable with respect to known driving systems, requiring less bulk, less maintenance, lower costs and less consumption.

The invention will be understood and actuated more easily with reference to the attached drawings, which show some non-restrictive examples of forms of embodiment wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front schematic view of a first version of the packaging machine;

FIG. 2 is a view like that in FIG. 1 of a second version of a packaging machine;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view from above, with some details removed to highlight others better, of the packaging machine in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front schematic view of a punched piece intended to form an external casing of a packet of smoking articles;

FIG. 5 is a front schematic view of a group of smoking articles;

FIG. 6 is a front schematic view of the group of smoking articles in FIG. 5 wrapped in an inner wrap sheet,

FIG. 7 is a front schematic view of an inner containing element, or collar, of a packet of smoking articles;

FIG. 8 is a front schematic view of a pocket included in the packaging machine in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a front schematic view of a further punched piece intended to form an external casing of a further packet of smoking articles;

FIG. 10 is a front schematic view of a further group of smoking articles;

FIG. 11 is a front schematic view of the group of smoking articles in FIG. 10 wrapped in an inner wrap sheet;

FIG. 12 is a front schematic view of a further inner containing element, or collar of the further packet of smoking articles;

FIG. 13 is a front schematic view of a further pocket included in the packaging machine in FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a cross section of the pocket in FIG. 8;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged detail of FIG. 1;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged detail of FIG. 2;

FIG. 17 is a further enlarged detail of FIG. 2;

FIG. 18 is a front schematic view of the driving apparatus according to the invention, as advantageously included in the packaging machines in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 19 is a variant of the solution in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 shows the assembly of the apparatus in FIGS. 18 and 19;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a packet of smoking articles:

FIG. 1 shows a packaging machine 1 to package smoking articles 2 (FIG. 5), in particular cigarettes, in packets 3 (FIG. 20), for example of a substantially parallelepiped shape.

The packets 3 are of the rigid type, comprising, once formed, an inner wrap sheet 4 (FIG. 6), for example a sheet of silver or metallized paper, housing and wrapping a group or arrangement of cigarettes (FIG. 5).

The packets 3 also include a first wrap sheet 6, or inner containing element, or collar, (FIG. 7), made of cardboard for example, possibly coupled with a sheet of metal, at least partially wrapping the inner wrap sheet 4, and disposed among other things to stiffen the packet 1 and keep a lid 7 of the latter closed (FIG. 20).

Furthermore, the packets 3 comprise a second wrap sheet 8, or punched piece (FIG. 4), intended to form the external walls of the packets 3 and therefore to wrap the collar 6 and the group of cigarettes 5 packed in the inner wrap sheet 4.

The packaging machine 1 comprises a forming conveyor, of a known type, not shown, to at least partially wrap the groups of cigarettes 5 in relative inner wrap sheets 4.

The packaging machine 1 also includes movement means 9 (FIG. 3) to move the groups of cigarettes 5 at least partially wrapped in the relative inner wrap sheets 4 in a movement direction M, substantially horizontal.

In particular, the groups of cigarettes 5 are moved so that the filters of the cigarettes are positioned upstream of the tobacco of the cigarettes with respect to the movement direction M.

The movement means 9 comprise an endless belt 10 closed in a ring around two pulleys, not shown, rotatable around respective horizontal axes and advancing with variable motion in the movement direction M.

To be more exact, the movement means 9 are driven by an electric motor, not shown.

The movement means 9 also comprise a plurality of abutment elements 11, attached to the endless belt 10 and extending transversely with respect to the movement direction M, disposed to abut on a minor side 12 (FIG. 6) of the groups of cigarettes 5 wrapped in the relative inner wrap sheets 4 so as to move the latter in the movement direction M.

The packaging machine 1 also comprises a wrapping wheel 13 (FIG. 1) to at least partially wrap each group of cigarettes 5, previously wrapped by a relative inner wrap sheet 4, in a respective collar 6 and in a respective second wrap sheet 8.

The wrapping wheel 13 is able to move the groups of cigarettes 5 along a wrapping path P shown with the broken/dotted line in FIG. 1.

Along the wrapping path P, substantially circular, around each of the groups of cigarettes 5 wrapped by the relative inner wrap sheets 4, a relative collar 6 and, at least partially, a relative second wrap sheet 8 are folded.

The wrapping wheel 13 is made to rotate, step-wise, by an electric motor, not shown, around an axis of rotation R substantially parallel to the movement direction M.

The wrapping wheel 13 comprises a disc shaped body 15, supporting a plurality of peripheral pockets 14 (FIG. 8) positioned in a radial manner.

The peripheral pockets 14 comprise respective compartments 16 to receive, as will be described more fully hereafter, the groups of cigarettes 5 wrapped by the inner wrap sheet 4, the collars 6 and the second wrap sheets 8.

Each compartment 16 has an abutment profile 17 in the shape of a “U”.

Moreover, each peripheral pocket 14 comprises lateral walls 18 connected and positioned externally with respect to the abutment profile 17.

Each peripheral pocket 14 is also provided with retaining means, not shown, in order to hold the collars 6 against the abutment profile 17. In particular, the retaining means comprise one or more suction cups.

Furthermore, each peripheral pocket 14 comprises anchoring means 19 (FIG. 14) in order to retain, in the compartment 16, the groups of cigarettes 5 wrapped by the inner wrap sheet 4 and at least partially by the collars 6.

The anchoring means 19 comprise an anchoring element 20, also called “hoe” by persons of skill in the field, substantially L-shaped, rotatable around a pin 21 between a release position, not shown, which allows to insert into or withdraw from the compartment 16 the group of cigarettes 5 wrapped by the inner wrap sheet 4 and at least partially by the collars 6, and a retaining position PT (FIG. 14), in which it retains the groups of cigarettes 5 wrapped by the inner wrap sheet 4 and at least partially by the collars 6.

In particular, the anchoring element 20 is moved between the release position and the retaining position PT by relative drive means, not shown.

The packaging machine 1 also comprises transfer means 22 (FIG. 1) to transfer the groups of cigarettes wrapped by the inner wrap sheet 4 from the movement means 9 to the wrapping wheel 13. To be more exact, the transfer means 22 transfer the groups of cigarettes 5 wrapped by the inner wrap sheet 4 in a transfer direction T which is radial with respect to the wrapping path P.

In particular, the transfer direction T is substantially perpendicular to the movement direction M.

The transfer means 22 comprise a first thruster element 23 and a second thruster element 24 cooperating with each other in order to retain and insert in succession into each compartment 16, one of the groups of cigarettes 5 wrapped by the inner wrap sheet 4.

In particular the first thruster element 23 and the second thruster element 24 are driven with alternate motion, as will be explained in more detail hereafter, and, in plane, have a shape such that they are able to be inserted, without knocking against the walls, into a passage, not shown, made inside the peripheral pockets 14.

The groups of cigarettes 5 wrapped by the inner wrap sheet 4 are inserted into a relative compartment 16 so that a bigger side 50 (FIG. 14) of the groups of cigarettes 5 wrapped in the inner wrap sheets 4 faces the respective compartment 16.

The first thruster element 23 and the second thruster element 24, mutually facing, are slidingly supported respectively by the movement means 9 and by the wrapping wheel 13 and are positioned in correspondence to a first loading station PSC of the wrapping wheel 13.

The packaging machine 1 also comprises positioning means 25 (FIGS. 1 and 15) to position in succession a respective collar 6 in each compartment 16.

In particular, the positioning means 25, disposed in correspondence to a second loading station SSC of the wrapping wheel 13, are driven with alternate motion, as will be explained more fully hereafter, and move the collars 6 in a direction D, which is substantially rectilinear and radial with respect to the wrapping path P.

In particular the second loading station SSC is positioned upstream of the first loading station PSC with respect to the wrapping path P.

The positioning means 25 include a punch element 41 conformed so as to be able to be inserted, at least partially, in a compartment 16, and provided with one or more suction cups, not shown, in order to retain and move, one at a time, the collars 6.

The packaging machine 1 also comprises further transfer means 26 (FIG. 1) to transfer in succession each second wrap sheet 8 onto a relative peripheral pocket 14 above a respective group of cigarettes 5 packed in an inner wrap sheet 4 and at least partially wrapped by a collar 6.

In particular the further transfer means 26 are positioned in correspondence to a third loading station TSC of the wrapping wheel 13, the third loading station TSC being positioned downstream of the first loading station PSC with respect to the wrapping path P.

The further transfer means 26 comprise a transfer wheel 27 provided radially with a plurality of retaining elements 28 disposed in order to each retain a respective second wrap sheet 8.

In particular the transfer wheel 27 is able to move the second wrap sheets 8 by means of the retaining elements 28, along a movement path PM, shown with a broken/dotted line in FIG. 1, substantially circular and substantially coplanar to the wrapping path P.

Furthermore, the transfer wheel 27 is made to rotate step-wise by an electric motor, not shown, around an axis W substantially parallel to the rotation axis R.

To be more exact, the direction of rotation of the transfer wheel 27 is opposite to the direction of rotation of the wrapping wheel 13.

The further transfer means 26 also comprise a first transfer arm 29 in order to transfer in succession the second wrap sheets 8 between a store 30 of second wrap sheets 8 and one of the retaining elements 28.

In particular the first transfer arm 29 is driven with alternate motion, as will be described more fully hereafter, and rotates around a first rotation axis A 1 substantially parallel to the axis W.

The further transfer means 26 are also provided with a second transfer arm 31 in order to transfer in succession the second wrap sheets 8 between one of the retaining elements 28 and a relative peripheral pocket 14 above a group of cigarettes 5 packed in the inner wrapping paper 4 and at least partially wrapped by a collar 6.

In particular the second transfer arm 31 is driven with alternate motion, as will be explained more fully hereafter, and rotates around a second axis of rotation A2 substantially parallel to the axis W.

To be more exact, the second transfer arm 31 moves the second wrap sheets 8 along a transfer trajectory TT, shown with a broken/dotted line in FIG. 1, substantially rectilinear and radial with respect to the wrapping path P.

Furthermore, the second transfer arm 31 comprises an end portion 32, having a profile like a “C”, in order to fold toward the inside peripheral zones 33 (FIG. 4) of each second wrap sheet 8 and make them abut against respective lateral walls 18 of a relative peripheral pocket 14.

The packaging machine 1 also comprises a further wrapping wheel 34 (FIG. 1), of the known type and therefore not described in detail, in order to complete the folding of the second wrap sheets 8 around the groups of cigarettes 5, previously wrapped in the inner wrap sheets 4 and in the collars 6, so as to form the packets 3.

In particular, the further wrapping wheel 34 is able to move the groups of cigarettes 5, packed in the inner wrap sheets 4 and wrapped in the collars 6 and, at least partially, in the second wrap sheets 8, along a further wrapping path UP, shown with a broken/dotted line in FIG. 1, substantially circular, along which, around each of the groups of cigarettes 5, previously wrapped in a relative inner wrap sheet 4 and in a collar 6, a relative second wrap sheet 8 is completely folded in order to form the packet 3.

In particular, the further wrapping wheel 34 is made to rotate step-wise by an electric motor, not shown, around a further axis of rotation UR substantially parallel to the axis of rotation R; the direction of rotation of the further wrapping wheel 34 is opposite the direction of rotation of the wrapping wheel 13.

Furthermore, the further wrapping wheel 34 is substantially coplanar to the wrapping wheel 13 and the transfer wheel 27.

The further wrapping wheel 34 comprises a further discoid body 35, supporting a plurality of further peripheral pockets 36 positioned radially so as to receive the groups of cigarettes 5 packed in the inner wrap sheets 4 and wrapped by the collars 6 and by the second wrap sheets 8.

The packaging machine 1 also comprises other transfer means 37 (FIG. 1) in order to transfer, in succession, a relative group of cigarettes 5 packed in an inner wrap sheet 4 and at least partially wrapped by a collar 6 and by a second wrap sheet 8, from each of the peripheral pockets 14 to each of the further peripheral pockets 36.

To be more exact, the other transfer means 37 transfer the groups of cigarettes 5 packed in inner wrap sheets 4 and at least partially wrapped by collars 6 and by second wrap sheets 8, in a further transfer direction UT which is radial with respect to the wrapping path P.

In particular, the further transfer direction UT is transverse to the movement direction M and is substantially coplanar to the transfer direction T.

The other transfer means 37 comprise a further first thruster element 38 and a further second thruster element 39 cooperating with each other to retain, and insert in succession into each further peripheral pocket 36, a relative group of cigarettes 5, packed in an inner wrap sheet 4 and at least partially wrapped by a collar 6 and by a second wrap sheet 8.

In particular, the further first thruster element 38 and the further second thruster element 39 are driven with alternate motion, as will be explained more fully hereafter, and, in plane, have a shape such as to be able to be inserted, without knocking against the walls, into passages (not shown) made inside the peripheral pockets 14 and the further peripheral pockets 36.

The groups of cigarettes 5 wrapped by the inner wrap sheet 4 are inserted into a relative further peripheral pocket 36 so that the relative second wrap sheet 8 faces, with a face 60 (FIG. 14), a relative further peripheral pocket 36, a further face 61 of the second wrap sheet 8, opposite the above face 60, facing a further bigger side 51 (FIG. 14), opposite the bigger side 50, of the groups of cigarettes 5 wrapped in the relative inner wrap sheets 4.

The further first thruster element 38 and the further second thruster element 39, mutually facing, are slidingly supported respectively by the wrapping wheel 13 and by the further wrapping wheel 34 and are positioned in correspondence to an unloading station SS of the loading wheel 13.

The unloading station SS is positioned downstream of the third loading station TSC along the wrapping path P.

The packaging machine 1 also comprises an unloading conveyor 40 (FIG. 1), of the known type and therefore not described in detail, to pick up the packets 3 formed by the further wrapping wheel 34 and to unload them radially from the packaging machine 1.

During functioning, the positioning means 25 radially position a respective collar 6, in succession, in each empty peripheral pocket 14, in correspondence to the second loading station SSC.

Each collar 6 is subsequently retained, by means of the above retaining means, against the abutment profile 17, the punch element 41 and the abutment profile 17 cooperating to fold each collar 6 to a “U”.

Subsequently, the collars 6 are moved along the wrapping path P and are stopped in succession in correspondence to the first loading station PSC.

In the first loading station PSC the transfer means 22 radially transfer, in succession, each group of cigarettes 5, previously at least partially packed in a relative inner wrap sheet 4, from the movement means 9 to the wrapping wheel 13 in a respective compartment 16 retaining a collar 6.

In this way, each group of cigarettes 5 packed in a relative inner wrap sheet 4 is wrapped on three sides by a respective collar 6.

Subsequently again, the anchoring means 19 of the peripheral pocket 14 positioned in the first loading station PSC are moved from the release position to the retaining position PT, so as to keep anchored to the peripheral pocket 14 the group of cigarettes 5 packed in the inner wrap sheet 4 and at least partially wrapped, that is, on three sides, by the collar 6.

Subsequently, the groups of cigarettes 5 packed in the inner wrap sheets 4 and at least partially wrapped by the collars 6 are moved along the wrapping path P and are stopped in succession in correspondence to the third loading station TSC.

In the third loading station TSC the further transfer means 26 transfer radially, in succession, each second wrap sheet 8 onto a relative peripheral pocket 14 above a relative group of cigarettes 5 packed in an inner wrap sheet 4 and at least partially wrapped by a respective collar 6.

In correspondence to the third loading station TSC, the retaining means of the peripheral pocket 14 are driven, positioned in correspondence to the lateral walls 18, in order to retain the second wrap sheet 8 anchored to the peripheral pocket 14.

Subsequently the group of cigarettes 5 packed in the inner wrap sheets 4 and at least partially wrapped by the collars 6 and by the second wrap sheets are moved along the wrapping path P and are stopped in succession in correspondence to the unloading station SS.

In the unloading station SS the retaining means of the peripheral pocket 14 are released and the anchoring means 19 are moved into the release position, so as to allow the other transfer means 37 to transfer radially, in succession, a relative group of cigarettes 5 packed in an inner wrap sheet 4 and at least partially wrapped by a collar 6 and by a second wrap sheet 8, from each of the peripheral pockets 14 to each of the further peripheral pockets 36.

Subsequently again, each group of cigarettes 5 packed in an inner wrap sheet 4 and at least partially wrapped by a collar 6 and by a second wrap sheet 8 is moved by the further wrapping wheel 34 along the further wrapping path UP along which, around each of the groups of cigarettes 5, a relative second wrap sheet 8 is wrapped in order to form the packet 3.

Subsequently, the packets 3 thus formed are radially transferred to the unloading conveyor 40 and unloaded from the packaging machine 1.

In one version of the invention, not shown, the axis of rotation R is substantially perpendicular to the movement direction M.

In a further version of the invention, shown in FIG. 2, the packaging machine 1 is modified so as to be able to fold collars 106 (FIG. 12) around four sides of the groups of cigarettes 5 packed in the inner wrap sheets 4.

In this further version, the peripheral pockets 14 are substituted by other peripheral pockets 114 on the wrapping wheel 13 (FIG. 13).

It should be noted that different types of peripheral pockets can be assembled on the wrapping wheel 13, depending on the format of the packets 3 to be made.

In other words the peripheral pockets can have different formats.

Each peripheral pocket 114 comprises a compartment 116 including an abutment profile 117 in the shape of a “U”.

Moreover, each peripheral pocket 114 comprises external walls 118 connected and positioned externally with respect to the abutment profile 117.

In particular the external walls 118 are inclined toward the outside.

Each peripheral pocket 114 is also provided with retaining means 150, structurally and functionally similar to the retaining means of the peripheral pockets 14, in order to retain the collars 106 against the abutment profile 117.

In particular the retaining means comprise several suction cups 150.

Each peripheral pocket 114 is also provided with anchoring means 19, not shown.

Furthermore, in the further version of the packaging machine 1 the positioning means 25 include folding means 151 (FIG. 16).

The folding means comprise a folding element 151, having a “C” shape, in order to fold toward the outside end zones 152 of the collars 106 (FIG. 12).

In particular, the ends of the folding element 151 have a complementary profile with respect to a profile of the external walls 118.

In this version, moreover, the packaging machine 1 comprises operating means 155 (FIGS. 2 and 17) to fold the end zones 152 toward the inside, so that each collar 106 wraps on four sides the relative group of cigarettes 5 packed in the inner wrap sheet 4, and to keep the end zones pressed against the relative group of cigarettes 5 packed in the inner wrap sheet 4.

The operating means 155 are positioned in correspondence to a folding station SP (FIG. 2) of the wrapping wheel 13, the folding station SP being positioned between the first loading station PSC and the third loading station TSC along the wrapping path P.

The operating means 155 comprise a first arm element 153 and a second arm element 154.

The first arm element 153 and the second arm element 154 are connected to each other by means of suitable levers and are mobile, with alternate motion, between a spread position P1 and a closed position P2, shown with a line of dashes in FIG. 17.

During use, during the movement between the spread position P1 and the closed position P2, the first arm element 153 and the second arm element 154 cooperate in order to fold toward the inside the end zones 152 so that each collar 106 wraps on four sides the relative group of cigarettes 5 packed in the inner wrap sheet 4, and in order to keep the end zones pressed against the relative group of cigarettes 5 packed in the inner wrap sheet 4.

During functioning, the positioning means 25 position a respective collar 106 radially, in succession, in each empty peripheral pocket 114, in correspondence to the second loading station SSC.

Each collar 106 is pressed and folded by means of the punch element 41 and the folding element 151, respectively against the abutment profile 117 and the external walls 118.

Subsequently, the collar 116 is retained, by means of the above retaining means 150, against the abutment profile 117 and against the external walls 118 of the relative peripheral pocket 114.

Subsequently again, the collars 106 are moved along the wrapping path P and are stopped in succession in correspondence to the first loading station PSC.

In the first loading station PSC the transfer means 22 transfer radially, in succession, each group of cigarettes 5 packed in a relative inner wrap sheet 4, from the movement means 9 to the wrapping wheel 13 into a respective compartment 116 retaining a collar 106.

In this way, each group of cigarettes 5 packed in a relative inner wrap sheet 4 is wrapped on three sides by a respective collar 106.

Subsequently again, the anchoring means 19 of the peripheral pocket 114 positioned in the first loading station PSC are moved from the release position to the retaining position PT, so as to retain the group of cigarettes 5 packed in the inner wrap sheet 4, and at least partially wrapped, that is, on three sides, by the collar 106, anchored to the peripheral pocket 114.

Subsequently, the groups of cigarettes 5 packed in the inner wrap sheets 4, and at least partially wrapped by the collars 106, are moved along the wrapping path P and are stopped in succession in correspondence to the folding station SP.

In the folding station SP the first arm element 153 and the second arm element 154 cooperate to fold toward the inside the end zones 152 so that each collar 106 wraps on four sides the relative group of cigarettes 5 packed in the inner wrap sheet 4, and to keep the end zones pressed against the relative group of cigarettes 5 packed in the inner wrap sheet 4.

Subsequently, the groups of cigarettes 5 packed in the inner wrap sheets 4, and wrapped on four sides by the collars 106, are moved along the wrapping path P and are stopped in succession in correspondence to the third loading station TSC.

In the third loading station TSC the further transfer means 26 transfer radially, in succession, each second wrap sheet 8 onto a relative peripheral pocket 114 above the relative group of cigarettes 5 packed in an inner wrap sheet 4, and at least partially wrapped, that is, on four sides, by a respective collar 106.

In correspondence to the third loading station TSC, the retaining means 150 of the peripheral pocket 114 positioned in correspondence to the lateral walls 118 are driven, in order to retain the second wrap sheet 8 anchored to the peripheral pocket 114.

In particular, each peripheral zone 33 of a second wrap sheet 8 is pressed by the respective end of the end portion 32, having a complementary profile with respect to a profile of the external walls 118, against a relative external wall 118, and is retained against the latter by the retaining means 150.

Subsequently, the groups of cigarettes 5 packed in the inner wrap sheets 4, and wrapped on four sides by the collars 106 and at least partially by the second wrap sheets 8, are moved along the wrapping path P and are stopped in succession in correspondence to the unloading station SS.

In the unloading station SS the retaining means 150 of the peripheral pocket 114 are released and the anchoring means 19 are driven in the release position, so as to allow the other transfer means 37 to transfer radially, in succession, a relative group of cigarettes 5 packed in an inner wrap sheet 4, and at least partially wrapped by a collar 106 and by a second wrap sheet 8, from each of the peripheral pockets 114 to each of the further peripheral pockets 36.

Subsequently again, each group of cigarettes 5 packed in an inner wrap sheet 4, and wrapped on four sides by a collar 106 and at least partially by a second wrap sheet 8, is moved by the further wrapping wheel 34 along the further wrapping path UP along which a relative second wrap sheet 8 is completely folded around each of the groups of cigarettes 5 in order to form the packet 3.

Subsequently the packets 3 thus formed are transferred radially to the unloading conveyor 40 and unloaded from the packaging machine 1.

It should be noted that thanks to the second loading station SSC and to the third loading station TSC it is possible to reduce the bulk of the packaging machine 1 comprising the wrapping wheel 13.

Indeed, the second loading station SSC and the third loading station TSC allow to load in succession, on a single wrapping wheel 13, both the first wrap sheets 6, 106, for example collars, and also the second wrap sheets 8, for example outer wrap sheets, and therefore to wrap, at least partially, the groups of cigarettes 5 packed in an inner wrap sheet 4, on a single wrapping wheel 13.

In other words, this makes it possible to wrap, at least partially, the groups of cigarettes 5 packed in an inner wrap sheet 4, on a single wrapping wheel 13 instead of on two wrapping conveyors, that is, the first and the second conveyor provided in the packaging machine described in IT1158537, which makes it no longer necessary to have the two separate wrapping conveyors with the respective loading/unloading stations.

It is obvious that, as well as reducing the bulk of the packaging machine 1 as described above, this makes the latter even more simple structurally and less costly with respect to known packaging machines.

Moreover, thanks to the transfer means 22 it is possible to render the packaging machine 1 even more compact with respect to known packaging machines.

Indeed, the transfer means 22 allow to transfer the groups of cigarettes 5 wrapped by the inner wrap sheets 4 in the transfer direction T which is radial with respect to the wrapping path P, thus reducing a transverse bulk of the packaging machine 1.

In this case, the transfer means 22 are positioned and act radially with respect to the wrapping wheel 13 and not, as described with reference to known packaging machines, at the rear with respect to the first wrapping conveyor.

According to the invention a driving apparatus 70 is provided to drive at least an operative unit 23, 24, 25, 29, 31, 38, 39, 155 of the packaging machine 1, suitable to transfer, position or fold groups 5 of smoking articles 2 and relative wrap sheets 4, 8 and collars 6, 106, or their parts, in order to pack them in packets 3.

The driving apparatus 70 includes linearization means suitable to convert a rotational motion into a linear motion and acting on the operative groups 23, 24, 25, 29, 31, 38, 39, 155.

In some forms of embodiment, the linearization means comprise an articulated quadrilateral.

In other forms of embodiment, the linearization means comprise a direct connection with the desired operative group, providing guide means suitable to accompany and guide the linear movement thereof.

With reference to FIG. 18 a driving apparatus 70 is shown, to drive the second thruster element 24 between a retracted position PR, shown with a line of dashes, and an extracted position PE.

The driving apparatus 70 comprises an electric motor 71, driven step-wise and directly connected to a rotor disc 72 made solid with the drive shaft 71 a, said electric motor 71 being controlled by remote control, command and programming means as will be more fully explained hereafter.

The linearization means of the driving apparatus 70 act, in this case, on the second thruster 24.

In some forms of embodiment, the linearization means include an articulated quadrilateral 75 connected to the rotor 72, which is able to rotate, in this case forward and backward, by around 180°. The articulated quadrilateral 75 comprises a pin 74, mounted eccentric to the desired value on the rotor 72 and acting as a handle, a connecting rod 73 hinged to the pin 74, and a rocker arm 78 hinged to the connecting rod 73, the last element of the articulated quadrilateral 75 being fixed and defined by a portion of a base 90 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) of the packaging machine 1

The movement of the eccentric pin 74 which acts at least on the articulated quadrilateral 75 corresponds to about 180°.

Advantageously, the movement of about 180° of the eccentric pin 34 is determined by an alternate to-and-fro rotation of the rotor 72.

In particular the rocker arm 78 is hinged at its first end to a first hinge 81, to which a free end of the connecting rod 73 is also hinged, and at a further first end to a second hinge 82, the second hinge 82 being attached to the base 90 of the packaging machine 1.

During functioning, as we said, the pin 74, driven in rotation by the rotor 72, performs an alternate rotational motion along a circumference arc, defining the work travel of the pin 74, of an amplitude substantially equal to 180°.

In its turn the connecting rod 73, driven by the pin 74, performs a roto-translatory motion, while the rocker arm 78, driven by the connecting rod 73, performs an alternate rotational motion along a work arc α, defining the work travel of the rocker arm 78.

In particular the work arc α has an amplitude of less than 180°; the amplitude determines the work travel effected by the second thruster element 24 between the retracted position PR and the extracted position PE.

The driving apparatus 70 also comprises a plurality of levers 77, 79, 80 interposed between and connecting the articulated quadrilateral 75 and the second thruster element 24. The levers comprise a first lever 79, a second lever 80 and a third lever 77.

The first lever 79, hinged to the second hinge 82, is rigidly connected to the rocker arm 78.

In this way, when functioning, the rocker arm 78 and the first lever 79 form a rigid element in the shape of an “L”, rotatable around the second hinge 82.

The free end of the first lever 79 is in its turn hinged, by means of a third hinge 83, to the second lever 80, which is hinged by means of a fourth hinge 84 to the third lever 77 supporting the second thruster element 24, the connecting rod 73 with the rocker arm 78, the first lever 79 with the third lever 80, and the latter with the third lever 77 forming turning pairs.

The third lever 77 is in turn sliding in a guide 85, forming a prismatic pair with it.

The driving apparatus 70 may also comprise, as a precautionary measure, a damper 86 in order to damp the travel of the connecting rod 73.

In one version of the invention, not shown, the driving apparatus 70 is not provided with the damper 86.

As mentioned before, when in use the rotor 72 drives the pin 74 with an alternate rotational motion along the arc of the circumference.

In its turn the pin 74 moves the connecting rod 73 with roto-translatory motion and the connecting rod 73 drives the rocker arm 78 with an alternate rotational motion along the work arc α, the rocker arm 78 moving with alternate motion, by means of the levers 77, 79 and 80, the second thruster element 24 between the retracted position PR and the extracted position PE.

In this way, the articulated quadrilateral 75 transforms the rotational motion of the rotor 72 into an alternate motion of the second thruster element 24.

A driving apparatus similar to the driving apparatus 70 described above, and therefore not shown, can be used according to the invention to move the first thruster element 23, the further first thruster element 38, the further second thruster element 39 and the operating means 155.

With reference to FIG. 19 a variant of the driving apparatus 70 in FIG. 18 is shown; this one too is able to drive the punch element 41, and where present, the folding element 151 of the positioning means 25, in the direction D between a retracted position PF and a forward position, not shown.

The variant of the driving apparatus 70 also comprises the basic inventive idea where there is an electric step motor 71, solid with the rotor 72.

In the case of FIG. 19, the rotor drives the articulated quadrilateral 75 connected to the rotor 72, the articulated quadrilateral 75 comprising the pin 74, assembled eccentric with respect to the rotor 72 and acting as a handle, the connecting rod 73 hinged to the pin 74, and the rocker arm 78 hinged to the connecting rod 73, the last element of the articulated quadrilateral 75 being fixed and defined by a portion of a base 90 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) of the packaging machine 1.

In particular the rocker arm 78 is hinged at a first end to the first hinge 81 to which a free end of the connecting rod 73 is also hinged, and at its other first end to the second hinge 82, shown here with a line of dashes, the second hinge 82 being attached to the base 90 of the packaging machine 1.

During functioning, the pin 74, driven in rotation by the rotor 72, performs an alternate rotational motion along the circumference arc, defining the work travel of the pin 74, with an amplitude substantially equal to 180°.

In turn the connecting rod 73, driven by the pin 74, performs a roto-translatory motion, while the rocker arm 78, driven by the connecting rod 73, performs an alternate rotational motion along the work arc α, defining the work travel of the rocker arm 78.

In particular the work arc α has an amplitude of less than 180°; the amplitude determines the work travel performed by the punch element 41, and where present, by the folding element 151 of the positioning means 25, between the retracted position PF and the forward position.

The variant also provides, instead of the levers 77, 79, 80 a further articulated quadrilateral 92, interposed between and connecting the articulated quadrilateral 75 and the punch element 41 and where present, the folding element 151 of the positioning means 25.

The movements of the linearization means, for example both the articulated quadrilateral 75 and the articulated quadrilateral 92, are generated by the rotation of the rotor 72, which transmits them by means of the pin 74. However, these movements would generate thrusts and counter thrusts both radial, tangential and torsional, which would unload on the bench bearings 69 of the electric motor 71.

Such a situation would easily cause wear, and the need to adapt a greater size of the electric motor 71.

To obviate this, the rotor 72 is associated to a bearing 76 which absorbs the thrusts, so that said thrusts are absorbed by a support plate 87 which positions the bearing 76 with respect to the shaft 71 a of the motor 71.

The bearing 76 can, according to some forms of embodiment, be of the roller type, the barrel type or the double sphere type, according to necessities.

The support plate 87 can be supported and positioned by a bearing structure, not shown in the drawings, or be associated to the electric motor 71, so as to create a single body and also act as a positioning and support flange of the electric motor 71.

In particular the motor 71 is mounted on the support plate 87 by means of screws 88 and the support plate 87 is fixed, in turn, to the base 90 by means of small pillars 89, in this case, three.

The association between rotor 72 and bearing 76 can occur as in FIG. 20, or an appropriate seating can be provided in the rotor 72.

FIG. 20, in particular, shows the assembly of the bearing 76 around the shaft 71 a of the motor 71 by means of a key 65.

The key 65 is tightened thanks to a tool, like a spanner or screwdriver, which can be inserted along a hole 66 in order to act on a screw 67 housed through a cut 68 in the support 87.

The articulated quadrilateral 92 comprises a first rocker arm 93, a member 94, a second rocker arm 95 and a further connecting rod 96, the further connecting rod 96 supporting at one end 10 the punch element 41 and possibly the folding element 151.

The first rocker arm 93, hinged to the second hinge 82, is rigidly connected to the rocker arm 78.

In this way the rocker arm 78 and the first rocker arm 93 form a rigid element in the shape of a widened “L”, rotatable around the second hinge 82.

The articulated quadrilateral 92 also comprises a third hinge 162 fixed to the base 90 of the packaging machine 1, the second hinge 82 and the third hinge 162 being connected by the member 94.

In this way, when in use, the member 94 is fixed with respect to the base 90.

The second rocker arm 95 is also hinged to the third hinge 162.

The free end of the second rocker arm 95 is in its turn hinged, by means of a fourth hinge 163, to the further connecting rod 96, the latter being connected, in an adjustable manner, with a free end of the first rocker arm 93 by means of a fifth hinge 120.

The connecting rod 73 with the rocker arm 78 and the first rocker arm 93 with the member 94, the second rocker arm 95 and the further connecting rod 96 form turning pairs.

In this variant too, the damper 86 is also provided to damp possible extra travels of the connecting rod 73.

In one version of the variant, not shown, the damper 86 is not present.

During use, the rotor 72 drives the pin 74 with alternate rotational motion along the arc of the circumference.

In turn, the pin 74 moves the connecting rod 73 with a roto-translatory motion and the connecting rod 73 drives the rocker arm 78 with an alternate rotational motion along the work arc α, the rocker arm 78 moving, with alternate motion and by means of the further articulated quadrilateral 92, the punch element 41 and when present the folding element 151 of the positioning means 25, between the retracted position PF and the forward position.

In this way the articulated quadrilateral 75 transforms the rotational motion of the rotor 72 into an alternate motion of the punch element 41 and possibly of the folding element 151 of the positioning means 25.

In the event of malfunctioning, the damper 86 damps the possible extra travel of the connecting rod 73.

A driving apparatus similar to the driving apparatus 70 described above, and therefore not shown, can be used to move the first transfer arm 29 and the second transfer arm 31.

It should be noted how the articulated quadrilateral 75 allows to improve the known drive systems.

In fact, the articulated quadrilateral 75, in the event of a malfunction, intrinsically limits the movements of the operative unit to which it is connected, which prevents the latter from knocking against other parts of the packaging machine 1.

Moreover, thanks to the articulated quadrilateral 75 described above, the driving apparatus 70 is more reliable than known driving systems.

Indeed, the articulated quadrilateral 75 acts as a reducer, reducing the moment of inertia of the moving masses, that is, the operative unit to which it is connected, so that the moment of inertia does not exceed a determinate value of moment of inertia of the rotor 72.

It is obvious that for this reason the reducer used in known driving systems is no longer necessary.

Furthermore, the moderate deterioration of the turning pairs described above allows to reduce to a great extent the frequency of maintenance operations.

In one version of the invention, not shown, instead of or together with the transfer wheel 27, one or more conveyors are provided, equipped with respective retaining elements disposed to each retain a respective second wrap sheet 8.

Furthermore, the conveyors, substantially coplanar to the wrapping wheel 13, to the further wrapping wheel 34 and where present to the transfer wheel 27, are driven in rotation step-wise by an electric motor, not shown, around respective axes substantially parallel to the axis of rotation R.

Furthermore, the packaging machine 1 comprises a management and control unit, not shown, in order to manage and command the electric motors 71 of the first thruster element 23, of the second thruster element 24, of the further first thruster element 38, of the further second thruster element 39, of the positioning means 25, of the operating means 155, of the first transfer arm 29, of the second transfer arm 31 and the electric motors of the movement means 9, of the wrapping wheel 13, of the transfer wheel 27, of the conveyors and of the further wrapping wheel 34. 

1. A driving apparatus for driving at least an operative unit of a packaging machine suitable to complete, in particular to transfer, position or fold groups of smoking articles and relative wrap sheets and inner containing elements, or collars, or their parts, in order to package them in packets, comprising electric step motor means and linearization means suitable to convert a rotational motion into a linear motion, acting on said operative unit, characterized in that said electric step motor mean comprises, solid with the drive shaft, a rotor radially carrying an eccentric pin, said eccentric pin acting on said linearization means, wherein the movement of the eccentric pin which acts on the linearization means corresponds to about 180° determined by an alternate to-and-fro rotation of the rotor wherein the rotor is associated to a bearing which absorbs thrusts, said bearing being positioned in a support mean, said support mean being solid with a bearing structure.
 2. (canceled)
 3. (canceled)
 4. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the support mean supports and positions the electric step motor.
 5. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said linearization means comprise an articulated quadrilateral.
 6. The apparatus as in claim 5, wherein said articulated quadrilateral comprises a connecting rod hinged on said pin.
 7. The apparatus as in claim 6, wherein said articulated quadrilateral comprises a rocker arm hinged at a free end of said connecting rod.
 8. The apparatus as in claim 7, wherein said articulated rocker arm performs a respective work travel along a further circumference arc (α).
 9. The apparatus as in claim 5, and comprising a plurality of levers, or a further articulated quadrilateral, interposed between and connecting said articulated quadrilateral and said operative unit.
 10. The apparatus as in claim 6, and comprising a damper acting on said connecting rod to damp oscillations of said connecting rod beyond said work travel.
 11. A packaging machine for forming packets of smoking articles, in particular cigarettes, comprising a driving apparatus as defined in claim
 1. 